TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF JOHN J. LYTLE, GENERAL SECRETARY.
In presenting this, my Twelfth Annual Report, I feel more and more solemnly impressed with the magnitude of the work in which I have been for so many years engaged, the importance of which cannot be overestimated and I have faithfully endeavored to perform my duty, seeking for Divine guidance in all of my undertakings. The Pennsylvania Prison Society has its officers and an Acting Committee of fifty other members, who, by act of the Legislature, are made official visitors to the Penitentiary and County Prisons. They are particularly interested in visiting the Eastern Penitentiary and the two County Prisons in this city, and the House of Correction—though we have members who visit the County Prisons of the State and make reports to the General Committee. The members, after a careful visitation of the convicts in their cells, endeavor to gain their confidence, and thus become friends to them, which is kept up frequently long after their discharge. We encourage a correspondence with them after they leave the prison, so that we can retain an influence over them for good and continued good.
Many interesting letters have been received, showing that what has been done was warmly appreciated, and instances are not wanting where they are leading honest lives, and are willing to admit that the lives they had been leading were dragging them down in ruin and could thankfully say that their incarceration had been a blessing to them, and they had determined with the Lord’s help, to lead better lives.
We have earnest, faithful Christian women members of the committee who visit the women prisoners of the Penitentiary, the County Prisons, and the House of Correction. In this connection I desire to call attention to the efforts which are being made to establish a temporary Home for discharged women prisoners, an institution which has been much needed, where they can remain a short time until they can obtain situations, in the meantime being under Christian influences. There is also the Howard Institution for discharged women prisoners, situated on Popular street, near Sixteenth street, where they have a comfortable home and are taught house-work and laundry, and being expected to stay at least six months, there is hope for reformation for those who desire to lead better lives.